Part 2/11:
From the outset, The Rings of Power was met with skepticism by Tolkien enthusiasts and purists who warned that the show might distort or bastardize J.R.R. Tolkien's work. These concerns seem to have been validated by the first two episodes, which many fans felt strayed too far from the original lore, engaged in questionable character decisions, and introduced storylines and changes that did not sit well with longtime Tolkien fans.